Crystal Palace DanceSport Cup | May 24, 2010

8th March 2010

Crystal Palace Cup 2010

It is with great regret and much heartache we have to announce that we have no other choice but to cancel this year’s event.

This year would have been our 10th Anniversary, and we are extremely proud of the fact that over the past nine years we have built a truly special vibrant independent competition embracing Amateur and Professional fields. From day one our focus has been to present a tournament where every dancer involved would feel special and appreciated. Strong support from top adjudicators, competitors, great music and attention to detail, have proved to be a winning combination.

Although our IDSF International Open Latin event was only one of the events on the day, we were extremely happy to bring together people from both organisations. We successfully practiced this for many years now, as we also believe that as organisers and financiers of the event, we should be able to run it how we see fit. After all, in our view freedom should apply not just to dancers, but to judges, officials and organisers.

For some time now we have been under pressure by Mr Bryan Allen, the President of British Dance Council to run all our events under BDC rules. We were also told that British adjudicators participating in IDSF event would be subject to disciplinary action by the BDC.

One of the points of negotiation in 2009 was the fact that we could not invite an IDSF Chairman, as this person would not be qualified by the BDC. In the course of the year, we have made every effort to reconcile the rules by qualifying Nick as BDC Chairman as well as IDSF Chairman. This did not help.

EADA (DanceSport Governing Body of England) is also a member of the BDC.

IDSF titles cannot be granted without the National Body’s application. This year Mr David Corfield, the President of EADA has refused to apply for the IDSF title on our behalf without explanation. Despite his December promise to “certainly apply”, a letter was received by us 3 weeks ago stating that “EADA is unable to support or apply for this event”. Curiously, this refusal coincides with EADA Press Release “... all Amateur competitions to be held in the UK in 2010 have their full support and approval”.

Why an IDSF National body would work against IDSF and against its own articles of incorporation, is beyond our comprehension.

In the present situation, not running an IDSF event will lead to inability of many Russian & Italian competitors to participate at Crystal Palace Cup 2010. How we feel about the current state of affairs is beside the point. Couples within each country will decide which road to take, which organisation to follow. After all, Medallist competitors routinely are not allowed to take part in Open competitions in Britain.

The fact remains that over the last few years Italian & Russian competitors have become a backbone of competitive dancing, in quantity and quality. Not having these couples at the event will result in poor attendance and unsatisfied competitors and spectators.

Consequently, we (Nick & Olga) have come to a decision not to run again until we are afforded freedom to organise our event in the way we want it. In our opinion freedom cannot be selective.

To adjudicators, our sincere gratitude. You have supported us over the years and have accepted this year’s job in good faith. All expenses incurred to date will be reimbursed, as well as the fees for the day. Please contact us at any time.

To couples, we wish you greatest success regardless which umbrella you happen to be under! No entry fees have been charged and any expenses to date in connection with visas or flights will be reimbursed.

We very much hope that we can do this again, as despite the amounts of money involved, a lot of work and sleepless nights we have created something special that dancers could enjoy which had been our aim from the start.

Olga Komarova
Nick Kremichenski
Wimbledon Dance Academy &
DanceSport Club





8th March 2010 Crystal Palace Cup 2010 It is with great regret and much heartache we have to announce that we have no other choice but to cancel this year’s event. This year would have been our 10th Anniversary, and we are extremely proud of the fact that over the past nine years we have built a truly special vibrant independent competition embracing Amateur and Professional fields. From day one our focus has been to present a tournament where every dancer involved would feel special and appreciated. Strong support from top adjudicators, competitors, great music and attention to detail, have proved to be a winning combination. Although our IDSF International Open Latin event was only one of the events on the day, we were extremely happy to bring together people from both organisations. We successfully practiced this for many years now, as we also believe that as organisers and financiers of the event, we should be able to run it how we see fit. After all, in our view freedom should apply not just to dancers, but to judges, officials and organisers. For some time now we have been under pressure by Mr Bryan Allen, the President of British Dance Council to run all our events under BDC rules. We were also told that British adjudicators participating in IDSF event would be subject to disciplinary action by the BDC. One of the points of negotiation in 2009 was the fact that we could not invite an IDSF Chairman, as this person would not be qualified by the BDC. In the course of the year, we have made every effort to reconcile the rules by qualifying Nick as BDC Chairman as well as IDSF Chairman. This did not help. EADA (DanceSport Governing Body of England) is also a member of the BDC. IDSF titles cannot be granted without the National Body’s application. This year Mr David Corfield, the President of EADA has refused to apply for the IDSF title on our behalf without explanation. Despite his December promise to “certainly apply”, a letter was received by us 3 weeks ago stating that “EADA is unable to support or apply for this event”. Curiously, this refusal coincides with EADA Press Release “... all Amateur competitions to be held in the UK in 2010 have their full support and approval”. Why an IDSF National body would work against IDSF and against its own articles of incorporation, is beyond our comprehension. In the present situation, not running an IDSF event will lead to inability of many Russian & Italian competitors to participate at Crystal Palace Cup 2010. How we feel about the current state of affairs is beside the point. Couples within each country will decide which road to take, which organisation to follow. After all, Medallist competitors routinely are not allowed to take part in Open competitions in Britain. The fact remains that over the last few years Italian & Russian competitors have become a backbone of competitive dancing, in quantity and quality. Not having these couples at the event will result in poor attendance and unsatisfied competitors and spectators. Consequently, we (Nick & Olga) have come to a decision not to run again until we are afforded freedom to organise our event in the way we want it. In our opinion freedom cannot be selective. To adjudicators, our sincere gratitude. You have supported us over the years and have accepted this year’s job in good faith. All expenses incurred to date will be reimbursed, as well as the fees for the day. Please contact us at any time. To couples, we wish you greatest success regardless which umbrella you happen to be under! No entry fees have been charged and any expenses to date in connection with visas or flights will be reimbursed. We very much hope that we can do this again, as despite the amounts of money involved, a lot of work and sleepless nights we have created something special that dancers could enjoy which had been our aim from the start. Olga Komarova Nick Kremichenski Wimbledon Dance Academy & DanceSport Club